An analysis of the bacterial flora found in the external auditory canals of microtia patients: results and clinical applications.

During the process of auricular reconstruction in cases of microtia patients with external auditory canals (EAC), bacterial contamination from the EAC can cause cartilage infection. In this article, we retrospectively analyzed the data on bacterial flora present in the EAC of these patients. Preoperatively, in 91 microtia patients, culture samples were obtained, and isolates were tested for in vitro susceptibility to antibiotics. One hundred volunteers with no ear abnormalities were also evaluated as part of the control group. Seventy-nine specimens in 91 microtia patients showed growth of bacteria (86.8%): a total of 97 organisms were isolated. Dominating bacteria were of the staphylococci species (85.6%). Fourteen Staphylococcus isolates were resistant to methicillin. The percentage of microtia patients showing a presence of methicillin-resistant staphylococci isolates (15%) was significantly higher than the percentage in the "normal" volunteer group showing a presence of methicillin-resistant staphylococci isolates (2%; P = 0.0009). To decrease the complications that occurred due to cartilage infection during auricular reconstruction in the cases of microtia with EAC, we suggest that bacterial floras of the EAC be routinely examined and the patients be treated with appropriate antibiotics preoperatively.